Why It's So Harmful When FOX Echoes the GOP on Employee Free Choice

Posted by ZP Heller, Brave New Films at 2:27 PM on January 5, 2009.

Fox is kicking off 2009 the only way it knows how, by continuing to serve as the GOP's mouthpiece.  That's just what Chris Wallace did yesterday on Fox News Sunday while pretending to hold a "fair and balanced" discussion about the Employee Free Choice Act with House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. 

Wallace referred to the Employee Free Choice as "Big Labor's top priority," repeatedly dubbing it "union card check."  Wallace also continued to push the false notion that Employee Free Choice would do away with secret ballots.  Fox's overt use of Republican talking points to fearmonger about Employee Free Choice is certainly nothing new, but what happened on Fox News Sunday is alarming for two reasons.

First, Hoyer wasn't nearly clear enough in explaining that the Employee Free Choice will NOT deny anyone the right to a secret ballot; all the act does is give workers the alternative of forming a union by signing union cards.  I repeat, Employee Free Choice means just what its name implies: workers can either hold a secret ballot election or form a union if a majority of employees sign up for one.

Second, Hoyer's failure to articulate this point enables Fox and the Republicans to control the false frame, which suddenly gives credence to the GOP's otherwise ludicrous Save Our Secret Ballot initiative.  This movement, backed by Big Business, is attempting to amend state constitutions to "guarantee" the secret ballot under the guise of protecting workers' rights.  Consider it a preemptive shot across the bow of Employee Free Choice, which would be federal legislation once Congress passes it this spring (as Hoyer suggested).

SOS Ballot is almost laughable, considering their board members include Grover Norquist and Ernest Istook of Abramoff scandal fame.  Except that once Fox anchors parrot GOP talking points and bring on guests who won't challenge their specious assertions, they open the door for campaigns like this that further confuse the issues surrounding Employee Free Choice.  Next, Wallace will likely bring Norquist and Istook on to tout their newfound love of workers' rights.  And the vicious cycle continues.

Tagged as: republicans, gop, unions, fox news, employee free choice act, grover norquist, efca, chris wallace, ernest istook

ZP Heller is the editorial director of Brave New Films. He has written for The American Prospect, AlterNet, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and The Huffington Post, covering everything from politics to pop culture.